I'm getting close to ready to install my new carb and keep going back and forth to the planning stage. I had intended to keep the stock air cleaner on top of the new carb but I'm kinda leaning towards open element now for various reasons, now I just need to figure out how much I can fit under the hood. I'm planning for a Weiand Stealth intake which I don't think rises that high but I'll have to check that next time I'm in the store. For clearance reasons I'm thinking maybe a 1/2 inch spacer or no spacer at all. Most of the air cleaners on Summit seem to list a net height of 3 inches or more. That might pose a problem I think. I'll probably end up taking my own measurements anyway but I'd love some input from guys who have done something similar.
The easiest way to find out for yourself, Playdoh!
Take a big lump of Playdoh and stick it on the top of the aircleaner, make sure it is tall enough so that when you close the hood it will press it down, then you just measure how tall the lump is after you open it back up.
My brother had to do the same thing when he put a new carb on his 69 Nova.